December 14, 2011 6:27pm ESTDecember 14, 2011 4:01pm ESTRajon Rondo reportedly had an incident to forget during the Celtics' series against the Heat last year.

Staff report

Published on Dec. 14, 2011

Dec. 14, 2011

With the Boston Celtics reportedly shopping Rajon Rondo this offseason, the notion that the point guard can be a difficult teammate has been bouncing around the league. The Hornets, being offered Rondo in a package for Chris Paul, were hesitant to do the deal largely because of Rondo’s attitude, some reports said. Now, an incident documented by the Boston Herald offers an example of Rondo’s negativity.

During a video session between Games 2 and 3 of the Celtics’ playoff series with the Heat last season, Rondo stood up to defended himself after having his errors pointed out by assistant coaches. Head coach Doc Rivers talked back at Rondo, who then threw a bottle that shattered the video screen.

Boston trailed Miami, 2-0, at the time, but went on to win Game 3. Rondo was a big part of that win, playing through an elbow injury that left him barely able to use his left arm.

“It had nothing to do with Doc,” Rondo told The Herald about the incident. “Doc said something to me because nobody else said something to me. But it wasn’t directed toward Doc. I was frustrated about the loss. ... I was just venting. Lawrence Frank and coach (Armond) Hill were running the film session. Doc was just sitting on the floor. I was just frustrated, and I wanted things to be addressed that weren’t being addressed. It’s as simple as that. I stood up and I did what I did. Doc stood up and said something, and that was it. I stormed out and left. That was it.

“I went home that night and thought about my actions. I talked to KG (Kevin Garnett), and I came back the next day and apologized to the team.”

Rivers added, “I was (upset) about it because it was in the middle of the playoffs and it hurt our team for that second. But I don’t worry about the actions; I worry about what is said. And what was said (upset) some of the players … some of the things he said to the guys. It wasn’t at me. It had nothing to do with me. But when you say what he said, then you’ve opened up another can of worms. But I don’t mind that either, as long as you get over that. And it took too long to get over it.”

But Rivers said, “Rondo is so much better now than when he first got here. He has fallbacks, just like I’m sure I do as a coach and as a person. Then we correct it and we keep moving forward. But, to me, overall Rondo is moving forward.”